It’s a great time to be a country music fan. It’s an embarrassment of riches as far as the music you can find out there from newer or older artists, in digital forms that make most anything from the present or past available at your fingertips, and now even in the expansion of the vinyl format as part of a physical resurgence. And from the underground all the way to the mainstream, the amount of exceptional artists to discover has never been greater.

When Saving Country Music started in 2009, the biggest artist in country music was Taylor Swift. Now, it’s arguably Chris Stapleton. Independent artists are finding support like never before, allowing them to be able to completely sidestep the pitfalls of the mainstream industry and still have sustainable, and in many cases, very successful careers. Independent artists and older artists are topping the country albums charts on a regular basis. Recently Americana even beat out country in regards to album sales. The tide is shifting, the tables are turning, and it’s opening up the music like never before.

And all of this is not entirely in spite of the stodgy morass that is the mainstream country music industry. Sometimes it is because of it. Chris Stapleton is the most decorated country music artist at the moment when it comes to industry awards. The CMA has announced that a host of legendary artists will be performing at their 50th Anniversary show where Stapleton and a 54-year-old Garth Brooks are nominated for Entertainer of the Year. It seems like every week there is another glass ceiling shattered by an independent artist, or another record falls to an artist that has won creative control over their music, while the acrid singles of artists like Chase Rice and Thomas Rhett flounder from being too behind the curve of a flight to more substance and traditionalism in country music across the board.

We might be heading into the fall, but it is springtime in country music. Yet that is certainly not the way some dug-in and chronically depressed underground and traditional country music fans see things. They see all the successes as a big bamboozle of the music industry to repatriate pissed off country fans with facades of change and fake saviors as opposed to a true future of more equality and a more open format where the best and brightest are allowed to shine as opposed to the prettiest and most well-connected. All they see is problems with newer traditional artists as opposed to focusing on their virtues.

Chris Stapleton wrote songs for Luke Bryan don’t you know, and that William Michael Morgan #1 “I Met A Girl” has Sam Hunt in the songwriting credits. So what that Charley Pride and George Strait are performing at the CMA Awards in 2016? Where’s Cody Jinks and Whitey Morgan? Where’s Dale Watson? And is the latest Sturgill Simpson record really that country?

Even though everywhere you turn in country music chutes of life are springing through the scorched earth for the first time in decades, some have become so habitually suspicious and dissatisfied that even though much of what they have been clamoring for is coming true right before their eyes, they’re even more downtrodden and depressed about the state of the music, and with each positive story become more mired by the scary notion that the music they like might be gaining traction.

Some country fans have become so accustomed to losing, they don’t know how to do any different. So they end up turning on certain artists they otherwise would be fans of simply because they’ve become popular. They pout over certain distinctions because they don’t want more people to know about their favorite artists or bands. And like a lifelong mercenary that knows nothing else than to fight whatever power is in charge, they raise their fist, and shoot their Johnny Cash middle finger in the air at whatever is being lauded as yet another achievement as simply the fakery of the industry.

Of course the effort to return country music to its past greatness is going to be imperfect. Ultimately, the appeal for music is one of the most subjective elements in the entire human experience, and pop has always had a place in country music since its inception. But pragmatism is how such deep inroads have been made into returning country music to its past glory. No, Jon Pardi, Mo Pitney, and William Michael Morgan are not the ideal traditional country specimens to make up a new generation of mainstream traditional-leaning country stars, but it’s a good start. Rome was not built nor destroyed in a day. You first have to take baby steps, and before you know it, you’re striding in leaps and bounds.

Who would have ever thought in 2014 that an album recorded live in a studio with Dave Cobb as producer, with songs written by the artist themselves and recorded with the artists’ own band would be named Album of the Year by the CMA’s? Hell, who would have thought the night of the 2015 CMA’s that Chris Stapleton would become arguably the greatest Cinderella story in country music history? Who would have thought that Margo Price would play Saturday Night Live, or Sturgill Simpson would be sitting down with Charlie Rose, or Jason Isbell would be headlining major festivals, or a traditional country song would be a #1 single on radio again?

Of course there is still much work to be done. Of course there are still incredibly terrible songs and artists out there slotted as “country.” Of course the concern of backsliding is an always-present danger. Of course there are still dozens of artists going unfairly overlooked compared to their level of talent. But unless we celebrate the victories won and the challenges overcome, how are we ever going to build off of that success?

No other outlet has spilled more acidic ink against the country music industry than Saving Country Music, and there is still more to be spilled in the future for sure, while a vigilant eye for wolves in sheep’s clothing, false prophets, and fake accolades remains necessary. But the constant bitching about how Alan Jackson is pop country and Chris Stapleton will put out and EDM album before we know it isn’t doing anyone any good, and most importantly, it isn’t grounded in any bit of reality.

Some people love to hate, but this isn’t Israel vs. Palestine. We care passionately about country music because it’s not just our favorite music, but our cultural identifier, our bridge to the past, and who we are as people. But we don’t have to hate everything that doesn’t fit our exact definition of country music. I’m glad that I don’t have the word “hate” in the name of my organization. Hate is a very powerful draw, but I’ve found over the years that talking to people as opposed to shouting and insulting is a better way to persuade folks to your side.

There is a time for hate, but there is a time for love as well. And right now it is a time to be happy about the way things are trending for country and roots music. Most of happiness is just making up your mind. And if you can’t be happy about where country music is headed right now, chances are you never will be. And that’s a sad state of affairs to be in.

Which implies it won’t get much better than this, which is fine, and also probably true–because Trashville will likely give this ‘Hillbilly Spring’ only begrudging attention, while it plots to break the next wave of trash that they themselves can own and control and milk for every dollar.

Add in the ability for listening to radio stations like WDVX (Knoxville), WBCM (Bristol), Sun Radio (Austin), KNBT (New Braunfels/San Antonio) that feature strong Americana and independent releases. Always find a new artist or forgotten gem when listening to these in the office or on the road. So many options to come across the good stuff that it’s made over the air “hot country” totally irrelevant in my world.

WDVX was a game changer for me. I was someone that grew up on traditional country music and had at least 6 or 7 merle haggard cd’s amongst many other legends in my truck at all times, but I was craving something new. I moved to knoxville in 2013 and discovered WDVX and SCM around the same time and my horizons have exploded since then. The only modern country artist I was into before that was Chris Stapleton and honestly that was just because a buddy had turned me onto the Steel Drivers. Proud to live in a world where there is unlimited access and plenty of exposure for good music of all kinds, especially country and country-folk/americana

Definitely agree Trigger. I want to thank you for this website because I honesty believe it has had an impact on getting support for these artists. Your website has allowed many like-minded people a place to come and learn about people we may have never heard of before. We then go out and spread the word to friends and co-workers about people we may have discovered here. I know I’ve personally done that with artists like Isbell, Sturgill, Stapleton, and many others.

I came to an unscientific conclusion that real country music is making in-roads this last week. For the past 2 years, I’ve attended a conference in Nashville during the month of October. Last year while I attended the conference, I was able to see Isbell and Stapleton at the Ryman. This was before Stapleton exploded at the CMAs a couple of weeks later. It was an amazing show. When I was down on Broadway after the show, other than Roberts, all I heard was a lot of bro-country crap. However on Monday, I was down on Broadway after my conference and was amazed and pleased at the amount of classic country being played. Of course, you still had crap songs thrown in some. However, just walking down Broadway and hearing the songs coming out…a lot of good country music was being played compared to last year. Maybe it was just my lucky night, but it made an impression on my and the group that I was with.

We can all find something to gripe about in terms of today’s country music, but at least it feels like for once it seems real progress is being made to advance the music all of us on this website love!

I second this. I thought my country music universe was only going to consist of the pre 2000’s, Jamey Johnson, and using my radio as background noise. Chris Stapleton gave me hope and I found this website while searching “Will Chris Stapleton save country music.” Because of this site I’ve found Sturgill Simpson. Whitey Morgan, Cody Jinks, Luke Bell, etc. Before I downloaded songs that I could tolerate, now I spend money for albums I love. I’ve shared articles on Facebook, and now have 5 mutual friends that follow to. People are willing to pay for music that has substance, and this site is a big part of the movement. Trigger/Whitey 2016!

I don’t think it’s hate, but apathy for mainstream country radio and award shows because we’ve been trained for years to tune out. It’s been a decade since I’ve listened to country radio or tuned into the CMAs or ACMs. Habits are hard to break.

Over the part decade, I’ve been exposed (thanks in large part to SCM) to more country music that appeals to me than ever before. I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with country radio – I was always more frustrated than satisfied. And I don’t want to go back!

So I snicker at the statesmen the CMAs are enlisting for their 50th anniversary show. I don’t hate it, but I don’t need it.

the music you can find out there from newer or older artists, in digital forms that make most anything from the present or past available at your fingertips

Independent artists are finding support like never before, allowing them to be able to completely sidestep the pitfalls of the mainstream industry and still have sustainable, and in many cases, very successful careers.

I think these are the key factors keeping me happy. Country radio may or may not ever find its way out of the morass, but if they don’t there are avenues for both artists and fans that will keep us clear of the mess. Hopefully these avenues will get enough of a hold to save the “country music” brand.

Agree with this, honestly for many of these reasons it’s a great time to be a music fan in general. And with the plethora o new ways to get music out it’s a good time to be an musician – as long as you can get paid through other means than album sales.

I will still claim that I don’t want to see Country and Americana become interchangeable, or Americana mean, country music that “we” like. A) I think that sells Americana short, with more roots, jazz, and folk based music and B) I like having different types of music identifiable from each other, be it country, americana, rock, pop, rap etc. This comment doesn’t have anything to do with the quality of the music though (I actually enjoy to various extends/moods all of those styles).

Fantastic article, including a little self-trolling, lol.
Like many others I’ve abandoned radio completely, so I have no idea how it’s doing these days.
There is, without a doubt, a TON of great music out there, and almost as many ways to experience it. Great time to be a music lover.

Every artist is going to be open to interpretation to just how ideal they are as traditional banner carriers or anything else. That is why it is unfair to expect the ideal from anyone.

Also, I wasn’t necessarily criticizing William Michael Morgan or Mo Pitney in this context as much as explaining the perspective of others that are quick to cast off their mainstream success as either shallow, or as a sham of the mainstream industry.

The summary of this article is why I quit following SCM, (and the hypocritical douche that runs it). And it may have been a team effort, but Jason Isbell garnered the attention in the right direction, the Sturgill narrowed the spotlight and emphasized the point, then Chris Stapleton jumped on the bandwagon that’s all. Sturgill Simpson is the largest contributor to this happening. Its funny now your arguing opposite point as the whole radio play basis argument. Told you radio was dead, look at blackberry smoke.

Alright hipsters, disperse, kyle go back to being a nerd, or I hear alternative rock is going pop nowadays, why don’t you go try to find a way to use that to make yourself look cool.
Oh yeah that above mentioned summary being, country music is already saved and if you needed a website to tell you that it needed saving, or how trigger was somehow apart of that, then move on to the next fad cause this one is dead.

Good laugh jacob…Trigger ain’t going anywhere if the people have any say, his blog brings a smile to our faces and represents a lantern in the darkest tunnel. HIS blog is my favorite hands down and Btw, I am no hipster, been listening to country since the early 70s and can tell you the difference between Austin, Bakersfield and Nashville Countrypolitan. I know the difference between a pedal steel and a lap steel. I nerd out on people like Joe Maphis, Merle Travis, Speedy West and Don Rich.

As for Simpson, he’s good but IMO a bit musically AdHD, in the latest Rolling Stone interview he discusses his desire to record a dance record and wants to live in Frank Oceans house! SO much for being a country music savior. As for Stapleton, see his work with The Steeldrivers and then get back to me on how you think he isn’t original.

But hey, you don’t have to like anything, certainly not SCM or Trig, Stapleton or my comment either. IN fact, why not start your own blog where you can rant to your hearts content. You can write anything you want, you could declare Simpson to be the greatest artist of all time in any genre, whatever.

Stapleton’s two (Grammy-winning) SteelDrivers albums came out in 2008 and 2010, years before High Top Mountain, and while Isbell was still washing all of the personality out of his solo recordings with a potent combination of Jack Daniels and overproduction.

This entire rant reeks of someone who “discovered” that country could be good in 2013.

Well put. It’s remarkable and disappointing how often you can write a positive review of something just to have the comments filled with negativity.

As to radio, I’m a DJ at a country station and you need to get out of your own bubble if you think it’s dead. Our station has only gained in listeners and engagement with the listeners over the past year. There’s simply been a shift from the big satellite stations owned by the likes of Cumulus and IHeartMedia in favor of those that are locally owned and operated.

I have been thinking a lot lately about what to do when the bro/metros traitors (Gary Allen(!),Eric Paslay et al) start cutting more traditional sounding stuff again in an effort to stay relevant. It seems that the trend chasers will start to issue stuff like this with more frequency soon. Do we take them back or do we (traditionalists) keep them at arms length or ostracize them altogether?

Personally, I am something of a donatist on this issue and think they should all be told to go boil and egg.

It’s a question worth asking. I think I lean with you on the whole “you chose your direction, you can stick with it” approach as a music fan, but I guess if it’s something good it’ll be difficult to ignore

Most artists evolve over the course of their careers. As a general rule of thumb, if you like the music, buy it (their are exceptions but they generally involve serious personal misconduct, attacking others, or seeming to promote smoking).

What will probably happen with some of these guys, especially the older ones like Allan, Nichols and a couple of others, is they will get dropped by their record labels and they will suddenly start making the music they wanted to make all along (or so they will say). Whether we believe and support them is the question as you stated.

I hate to see Gary Allan lumped in this category. Sure, one really bad song (not album, just one song) after 6 or 7 pretty great albums. Ostracizing in that case is harsh. Now Jason Aldean, that’s a different story. There’s a guy who, despite numerous great songs in true country tradition, is clearly more concerned with staying relevant (sales-wise) than staying the course, so ostracize away. …but don’t sweep out the wheat with the chaff. Hell, the stones cut two disco songs, coulda turned on them for that too, but then you wouldn’t have had Tatoo You.

Taylor Swift was never a Country music singer/artist. She and her promoters swindled their way into Country music patch in order to get radio exposure. This well done, she then admitted that she is not a Country music singer. She then promptly decamped to the swamp of the current Pop music. Why did so many keep quiet when she started her “Country” career ? There was not much of Country in her.

Nashville is known for fashionably late trend following. The coveted the demographic that Taylor promised to deliver. To quote another bad 1990s pop song from a drug addicted former 1990s pop singer, many folks in the industry thought, “I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way”. They optimized for short term profits, selling country’s soul in the process.

Very true for recorded music, now if only I could go to big mainstream country festivals and hear good music again.
The biggest festival over here in Australia is CMC Rocks, its getting better this year with the Dixie Chicks headlining, but some of the others are terrible. I’m hoping we get back to mainstream festivals witg more talented artists.
I like listening to deep and moving lyrics and amazing musicianship while getting blurry drunk and dancig out of time.

Honestly, the place I see a lot of this acrid, negative sentiment is on Facebook, and if anything is the target of this article, it is that. People are so charged up to hate, especially with the Presidential election, even when positive news is shared (which I get criticized for not doing enough of), it is met with suspicions or derision. Fuzzy has included some of that in his comments as well, but I think it’s valuable to have dissent here, and his comments are always welcomed.

“Honestly, the place I see a lot of this acrid, negative sentiment is on Facebook”

Good argument for staying off Facebook then!

Why begrudge someone for liking music? Florida Georgia Line make a lot of people happy — think of how many wedding couples will do their 1st dance to a FGL song this weekend. Let ’em enjoy it. Who cares.

There’s heavier stuff going on in the world than roots country vs pop country. Don’t worry, it’ll work itself out. The good stuff always stands the test of time and the drivel fades quickly.

“Chris Stapleton is the most decorated country music artist at the moment when it comes to industry awards” — and yet I’ve yet to hear him song a song of any depth. Can you recommend one?

I’ll be happy when I hear Elizabeth Cook’s “It Takes Balls to Be a Woman” on non-satellite country radio. Until then, I’ll be happy to buy as selectively as possible the music that is most likely to sustain interest beyond two weeks of rotation.

Hey cornman, Listen up! Regarding Stapleton and depth, I submit the following for consideration: First, to really fully experience the depth of him check out the first two albums by The Steeldrivers. Some faves that I think are notable : Can You Run, this song almost brings tears, it’s about a slave during the civil war desperately trying to convince his woman to flee with him to the north so he can fight for his people..moving stuff, Then, check out Where Rainbows never end, another moving song about a dying old southern man, reflecting on his life and anticipating the next life. Then check out the murder ballad : If it hadn’t been for love, also Peacemaker, Heaven Sent, and finally Sticks that Made Thunder. IMO these songs have depth as deep as The Marianas Trench!
As for his decorated solo album, try The Devil named Music, Outlaw State of Mind , The difference between Whiskey and You. If these songs don’t do it, then you are a hopeless case . .Enjoy!

Having found this website and thus found that there is still music being made that I really love, I have found that I have less tolerance for a lot of the crappy stuff I hear on the radio. However I’ve also found that when im spending most time listening to something really good, I am more able to enjoy the occasional fun ear worm song.

That probabaly didn’t make that much sense. Basically, I am saying that a shift to quality music can still allow some room for fun, less substantive music (that Livin the Dream song is a big guilty pleasure of mine right now). As long as we can all agree that stuff like Kick the Dust Up is an absolute abomination unto the lord. Lol.

But does the fact that mainstream and radio country has built its success of late on a huge fan base that has no real affection for traditional Country mean that those aspects of the country scene will be forever changed for the worse? Or are those fans going to enjoy a more traditionally country sound and quality music?

It seems to me that there has always been the fluffy type stuff no matter what era of music you are talking about but the difference is that there was much more quality, substantive music in the mainstream. My theory is the entire level has dropped as the good stuff of today is not as good as the past and the bad stuff is far worse than ever.

Not to say that there isn’t some great stuff being made but just not very much of it by the most successful performers. That didn’t used to be the case.

I totally agree. I guess that’s what I meant. I have no problem with the fluffy, poppy stuff, and find that I actually enjoy it as long as it’s in smaller proportion to the better stuff.
I would love if we could go back to that in the mainstream! But I wonder if that particular proportion is never to return.

”…. As long as we can all agree that stuff like Kick the Dust Up is an absolute abomination unto the lord. Lol…..”

I am and always have been mystified by the fact that SOMEBODY at SOME RECORD LABEL , SOME MANAGEMENT TEAM and whoever else is involved in the decision making process when it comes to recording and releasing songs , would think that this KICK THE DUST UP bullshit was a good song . And its been that way for so long now . The wrong people are calling the shots ( Garth’s singles lately ) and in total control of an artist’s , otherwise , good intentions ( Alan Jackson , McGraw , Kasey Musgraves ) . They can’t REALLY believe these are good songs . The singles are ALWAYS the worst songs on these albums BY A LONG SHOT . They mostly misrepresent and undermine a singer’s ‘focus’ artistically and mislead ( lie to ) fans about who the artist is . What bout the recent piece of ” Dust On My Boots ” shit ? …just SO MANY crap songs and yet there are SO MANY great ones ignored . I’m of the belief that the people in these decision-making positions are completely unqualified and uneducated about what makes a GREAT song and a GREAT standard .

I gotta ask, where is Holly Williams?? I read a year ago she was working on a new album with David Cobb and there hasn’t been any updates on it. And now I just read an interview with her were she says “what’s next for her” is flipping houses and decorating them! Nothing against those dreams, and it seems like she’s doing fine with her family, but are we ever going to get some new Holly Williams music after The Highway was so beautiful??!

I agree with this article. I was just thinking a few days ago, that there is more great country music out there than I have heard in years. There is so much that I don’t have time to listen to it all! The exact opposite of last year when I was listening to mainstream country. I am blown away by Cody Jinks, Sturgill, Bri, Sunny, Brennan Leigh, Wade Bowen, Cody J., Mo Pitney, Charla Corn, etc. etc. I am more hopeful about country than I have been in a while.

All excellent points and a great article.
Few added points not exactly mentioned here in a article today I.
One has to be the power and foresight of thirty tigers records. Just giving the indies a chance, outlet, and ability to do what they want. Music ownership is so I’m important. It also gives them the ability to move to a major if they want.
Ability to crowdfund and the fans helping artists to be able to release music independently. Even a few major label people have done this after they’re stuck in a contract and shelved. They don’t have to go in debt to record it. The fans get a lot of different things as far as music and access too.
The ability with computers and different tools to be able to release music cheaply. In December 2010 was talking to an indie producer in Nashville. He was commenting how you can do a fairly good record for about $10,000 and break even with about a thousand units sold. This really makes it more affordable for the true indies and others to be able to compete, and release new music.

I have to agree that right now is a great time to be a music fan just because it’s so much easier to find music that suits your taste than anytime in history. As long as you turn off the radio. Mainstream radio is a cesspool full of rotting tripe. All genres.

But wow, I’ve been able to find so much good music in the last three years I can’t keep up with all of it. Found some really cool country stuff. Some amazing Americana type stuff. Southern rock and hard rock that dispels the myth that rock is dead. I have some twitter friends really into the harder rock/heavy metal scene that feel the same way.

The good stuff is out there, in abundance, you just sometimes have to find it for yourself instead of waiting to be spoon fed.

Well Well Well…looks like its turning out to be that Sturgill Simpson is the country music savior after all! You know he spearheaded this whole moment we’re enjoying now. He knows it too even though he’s an odd fucker.

You are right Trigger, there’s good stuff happening. This has been a great year for country music concerts for me. This year, I’ve seen live:
Robert Ellis
Tom Brosseau
Cody Jinks and Whitey Morgan
Jim Lauderdale
Lydia Loveless
Margo Price
Anderson East
Chris Stapleton
Sturgill Simpson
Jason Isbell
Sarah Gayle Meech
Ruby Boots
Kacey Musgraves
The one downside was I had a ticket to see Merle and he passed before the show.
There are lots of great country music artists out there performing and putting out records, which is great! If I could catch Elizabeth Cook, Kelsey Waldon, Sarah Shook, Mark Chestnutt and Dale Watson live too, I’d be a super happy camper!

It is a great time just now no doubt and its spreading over here to the UK.In the last 12 months I’ve caught Blackberry Smoke,Sturgill Simpson twice,The Lone Bellow,Jason Isbell 3 times,Hayes Carll,Richmond Fontaine twice,Brandy Clark and Daniel Romano and all to sold out or close shows all in either Glasgow or Edinburgh with Whisky Myers and Wade Bowen still to come before the end of the year.With no country radio to speak of over here it’s really just word of mouth and I thank them all for coming over I’m sure most of them could just stay touring the States and make more money but they are all working hard to spread the word.Would love it if Cody Jinks,Luke Bell,Margo Price,Chris Stapleton come over in the future.

Alright article: I didn’t comment on you before because I had nothing to say.

After last night I feel I have plenty to say.

(puts on ranting shirt and polishes ranting shoes)

How the eff am I supposed to be happy as a Country Fan when Thomas Shitt wins New Artist?

How am I supposed to be happy when Roy Clark, Bill Anderson, and Ricky Skaggs combined didn’t get a full three minutes last night, while Beyonce and Carrie Underwood both got to perform????

Are you kidding me?

This article is so oblivious to the issues facing Country Music that it’s almost laughable.

Mo Pitney and Jon Pardi are supposed to make me happy?

weak argument. it’s like listening to a less talented Alan Jackson. Why would I want to listen to either of them when I have over a thousand records including REAL TALENTED Country singers like Kenny Price, Rose Maddox, Kitty Wells, or Don Walser?

and a watered down version of Alan Jackson somehow fixes the problems?????

Puke Bryan was still one of the most celebrated performers, while actual talented people like Skaggs and Charley Pride got the finger.

the big. hairy. finger.

Charley Pride has been stepped on enough. that half-assed tribute to him on the ACMs that was just his face displayed set to some beer rap was just the first egregious offense. now this.

They could have at least played more than thirty seconds of a George Jones video.

And lemme tell ya something else:

the big takeaway from last night? it was a video of Johnny Cash telling the “new artists” to do it their way!

Good job Johnny Cash. You just ruined Country Music.

Now Luke Bryan and FGL have excuses to make what they make. “It’s our music our way.”

And you, Trigger, miss the point.

We classic Country fans don’t just want a place at the table. we don’t just want equal representation.

It’s our table, not theirs.

We shouldn’t have to worry about representation at OUR EFFING TABLE.

It belongs to us, and not to anyone else.

The fact that we’re celebrating last night as a step forward just proves that the people following this site are so oblivious to the problems that they’re celebrating a non-victory as if it were a victory.

We got shafted big time last night, but we’re so happy to see a couple old faces that we haven’t even bothered to complain about the elephant in the room.

We didn’t win, we didn’t get equal representation, we didn’t get represented.

We got played for saps.

We got suckered by people throwing us a bone trying to fool us.

I got fooled too.

And anyone who can condone listening to Country radio after this, or buying a major label album, is not only a part of the problem, but actively funding the problem.

Because it’s just going to happen next year.

Now they know we’ll watch if they put on an old fart like us to sing thirty seconds of a song.

Of course they’ll do it.

It’ll drive viewership up.

And then they make more money from the commercials.

and that means more money to further erode Country Music.

we lost big time last night.

Even Stapleton couldn’t stop it. losing to Thomas Shitt proves that the whole system is rigged, corrupt, and morally bankrupt and needs to be burned.

I saw it’s time we stripped our radios out of our cars, broke the antennas on our stereos, and sent a very clear message that from now on we are the CD people, or the streaming people or whatever, and that no more meat-pageantry will ever waste our time.

Because we didn’t win last night.

We just got fooled into watching ourselves get cheated out of our genre and celebrating it as a victory.